A26923:1114
An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches
An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches by reconciling explication without much disputing. Written by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for John Salusbury, 1691
Chapter 25: Of good Works and Merit, and trusting to any thing of our own.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
§. 40. 20. There is a moral goodness in these Works of Man, by which through Christ, they are pleasing to God, which is their aptitude to this acceptance and reward.
In all this I think all sober Christians must needs confess that they agree.
§. 41. III. And as to the Case of Merit, a few words with understanding men may dispatch it. We are agreed on the negative; 1. That no Man or Angel can merit of God in proper Commutative Justice, giving him somewhat for his Benefits that shall profit him, or to which he had not absolute right.
2. No man can merit any thing of God, upon the terms of the Law of Innocency, (but Punishment)
3. No man can merit any thing of God, unless it be supposed first to be a free Gift and merited by Christ.